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Shortly after I moved to San Francisco, I got a job working at a indie (read: punk) record distributor. There was this guy, Ken, who worked with me who was the embodiment of a good leftie skinhead. Built like a fireplug, shaved head, jacket covered in patches of punk bands from eastern europe that few people outside eastern europe ever heard of.
One lunchtime, we decided to go record shopping (that's how frightening my life is - taking a break from a music warehouse to go to a record store). We go to Tower Records in the Castro, pick out our CDs and get in line. "What are you getting, Ken?" "The new CD by Cripple Bastards [I don't actually remember what he bought, but you get the idea]. What about you?" "The new Hanson CD. I know it's gay, but what can I say? I really like it." I spoke the words in a clear and resonant tone, without a shred of sarcasm. The crowd of shoppers, many of whom were undoubtedly gay, didn't flinch. Ken, however, looked sick. His bald head turned beet red. "Jesse, don't you know where we are? You shouldn't use terms like that." I was at once revolted by the super-PC reaction of my companion and touched that this dangerous looking skinhead was so compassionate and liberal. But mostly I was revolted. That's my story. Thought it was a good place to tell it. And in hindsight, "Mmm-bop" is still pretty gay, but I like it. |
Good story. Most gays grock the difference between gay and Gay.
I'm sorry that I can't explain it any better than "lame in a fruity way." If there were a better way to say it, we wouldn't have to say "gay." It's the perfect word for the sentiment. The mo's have fag and queer and, well, homo, to replace "Gay." There are no other choices for "gay." Ya know, I like that "gay" doesn't necessarily mean "bad." Perfect example: Quote:
I also like that gays are ok with "gay." It's kinda like being able to laugh at yourself ... and I think that's a very healthy attitude. |
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For me, it's up there with 'girlie man' or 'you throw like a girl'. It implies that there's something wrong with a male being like a female. Calling something lame 'gay' says that gay = lame. It's as simple as that... :) |
But it's not just "lame." For lame things, we say "lame."
We need "gay" to describe that particular brand of lame that is, well, ya know, gay. It's kinda like how the eskimos have twelve words for snow. I'll concede that, in a way, lame-gay refers to something being effeminatish. That can have a poor connotation when Gay also means effeminatish. I just don't think it does in this day and age. Gay means homosexual. There are plenty of other words reserved for particularly effeminate homosexuals, but Gay is pretty generic. Sorry if you find it insulting, GC. Blacks can call each other 'n i gg er' all the day long, but don't anyone else dare say that word. We've all got a long way to go, but we're getting there. * * * * * * On the other hand, I agree with you about "homosexual marriage." That's just fear-baiting, plain and simple. But I don't know why. Does it just sound more nasty? It certainly doesn't sound as happy as "gay marriage." Doesn't everybody wish they had a gay marriage?? Hardly a term opponents are likely to use. * * * * * * I'm glad everyone's in accord about cooties. |
GC, I hear what you're saying.
I get angry when someone says that they "jewed someone down on the price." I have been careful to remove words like "gyp" from my vocabulary, once I realize what they connoted. I understand what your beef is, and as a het I wouldn't want to flippantly use a term that might insult you. Having said that, I want to point out that iSm hit the nail on the head with regards to my intent. I always use the term in an affectionate way, never to pass judgement. I know that I've called myself a geek since I was in 5th grade and continue to chuckle about geeky things and never give a second thought to the carny etymology of the term. My Gay friends are all cooler than Hanson. Otherwise, they wouldn't be my friends. |
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I'm really not meaning to be a pain in the a$s here, but...
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